Australia hit the highest Cricket World Cup score in tournament history yesterday when they made 417-6 against Afghanistan at the WACA in Perth, Australia, led by David Warner’s 178-run blitz.
The four-time champions went past the previous best of 413-5 made by India against Bermuda in 2007.
It was the third 400-plus total at this World Cup after South Africa twice went through the barrier, scoring 408-5 against the West Indies and 411-4 in their game with Ireland.
Photo: AFP
The home team was sent in to bat by Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi, a decision greeted by a chorus of cheers from the crowd, and then tormented the minnows.
There was a surprise at the toss, with experienced all-rounder Shane Watson dropped to allow James Faulkner to return to the Australian team after a side strain, but the onslaught that followed was extremely predictable.
Dropped on 114, Warner seemed set to compound Watson’s misery by passing his Australian one-day international (ODI) record of 185 not out against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011, but fell short after looping a delivery to mid-on from the bowling of Shapoor Zadran (2-89).
Warner faced 133 balls, hitting 19 fours and five sixes. His assault on the hapless Afghan bowlers brought back memories of Matthew Hayden plundering a weak Zimbabwe attack for an Australian Test record 380 at the same venue in 2003.
Although Warner fell shy of the overall ODI individual record, he passed the previous mark for the highest innings by an Australian at the WACA, which belonged to Damien Martyn for his 144 against Zimbabwe in 2001.
Warner and Steve Smith, who made 95, also set a new benchmark for an Australian partnership in ODI cricket with their 260-run second-wicket stand from 209 balls.
The pair passed the previous record of 252 set by Watson and Ricky Ponting against England in South Africa in 2009.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell then chimed in with a quickfire 88 off 39 balls, including seven sixes, before being well caught at mid-off from the bowling of Dawlat Zadran (2-101) in the 48th over.
In response, Afghanistan could only muster a measly 142 before being bowled out after 37.3 overs.
Afghanistan No. 3 batsman Nawroz Mangal top-scored for his team, chipping in with 33 runs off 35 balls.
Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the Australian bowling attack, claiming 4-22 off 7.3 overs.
Pakistan are starting to find form in time for the second half of the tournament.
After incurring big losses to India and the West Indies, Pakistan have recovered with victories over Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to level their win-loss record at 2-2.
Pakistan’s win yesterday came in Napier, New Zealand, where they scored 339-6 — the first time they have topped 300 runs at the tournament — before restricting the UAE to 210-8 for a 129-run victory.
Pakistan’s two remaining matches are against South Africa on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, and against Ireland in Adelaide, Australia, on Sunday next week.
Any chance Pakistan have of making the quarter-finals is likely to rest on a win in at least one of those games, and they might have to win both depending on other results.
Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad top-scored for Pakistan before being run out for 93, while No. 5 batsman Shaiman Anwar led the UAE with 62 runs.
“Everyone contributed, and we pushed hard,” Shehzad said. “Very happy to see some momentum before our next big game against South Africa.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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